MAN FALLS OUT OF HELICOPTER IN CALIF. POT CLEANUP: FRESNO. (AP) - A California outdoorsman who led crews of volunteers through the Sierra Nevada mountains repairing trails and cleaning up marijuana grow sites has died after falling 50 feet from a helicopter, authorities said.

HUNTERS ASKED TO HELP MANAGE DEER POPULATION: SONOMA (AP) - Bow hunters are being asked to take aim to help control the deer population in a 5,000-acre wildlife preserve near Lake Sonoma in Northern California.

SAN DIEGO (AP) - California posted its strongest homes sales for any August in seven years as price increases cooled, a research firm said Friday, a relief to buyers who have been competing over slim pickings.

SAN DIEGO (AP) - California posted its strongest homes sales for any August in seven years as price increases cooled, a research firm said Friday, a relief to buyers who have been competing over slim pickings.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Gov. Jerry Brown and China's top climate negotiator on Friday signed the first agreement between a U.S. state and China that seeks greater cooperation on clean energy technologies and research meant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - California could join Japan, Mexico and other earthquake-prone countries that alert residents to the approach of powerful shaking under a bill awaiting approval from Gov. Jerry Brown.

MODESTO (AP) - Two corporations that owned the Post cereal brand have agreed to pay $635,000 in fines to settle allegations that they failed to prevent air pollution from a Modesto plant where Grape-Nuts, Banana Nut Crunch and other products were made.

REDDING (AP) - In the hours before fire crews were able to corral a wildfire in rural far Northern California, wind-driven flames fueled by dry grass and brush tore through communities at an estimated 500 acres an hour, giving residents just minutes to grab what they could and escape.

SACRAMENTO . (AP) - California's minimum wage would rise to $10 an hour within three years under a bill that is all but certain to head to Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday, giving the state one of the highest rates in the nation.

SACRAMENTO (AP) - The state Legislature on Thursday approved naming the iconic western span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge for former Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, a towering California political figure who is both revered and reviled.

SACRAMENTO . (AP) - Immigrants who are in the country illegally would be able to get California driver's licenses under a bill approved Thursday by the state Senate, but it was not immediately certain whether it would be sent to the governor this year.